Happy National Pollinator Week from Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay! The 2025 Pollinator Poster titled Pollinators Weave Connections was “crafted by Deanna Derosia, highlighting the essential role pollinators play in creating and expressing human culture, in all of its forms.
“As we reflect on the interconnectedness of our world, let’s unite in a collective effort to protect and preserve these crucial pollinators. By understanding the impact of our actions on their habitats and embracing sustainable practices, we can pave the way for a flourishing future. Join us in celebrating Pollinator Week 2025, and let’s cultivate a world where both nature and humanity thrive in harmony.” ~ Pollinator.org (Click here for more information on pollinators featured in the graphic, or to order or download the print.)
Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay got a jump start on the week on Saturday, June 14, at PAINT THE TOWN WITH POLLINATORS at the Town of La Plata Bird City Pocket Park located at 160 Centennial Street in La Plata, Maryland. The free event, organized by our Membership Chair Lynne Wheeler, encouraged residents to learn about the importance of adding native plants to their landscape to support pollinators. Free native plants were distributed courtesy of Bona Terra Nursery and Southern Maryland Audubon.
The Town of La Plata Beautification Commission, Port Tobacco River Conservancy, Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay, and College of Southern Maryland Seedbox Seed Library were all on hand at Paint the Town with Pollinators to share their passion for pollinators, the importance of landscaping with native plants, and all their other favorite things – Birds, Bees, Trees, Art, Healthy Ecosystems, and Clean Streets.
Artistic creativity was on display with Sidewalk Chalk Art!
And Polly the Pollinator made an appearance, too!
How will you celebrate National Pollinator Week?
Did you know that the University of Maryland Extension website has a section devoted to Pollinators? This year they have enhanced the site with educational resources and tools to help you and your community celebrate and learn about pollinators. Check out their offerings:
- Maryland Pollinator Week Toolkit
- Pollinator Educational Tools & Tips Webinar
- Native Bee Habitat Webinar
We also invite you to watch this presentation on local native bees by Sam Droege of the USGS Bee Lab. The presentation, Nurturing Native Bees in the Takoma Park Area, was recorded during National Pollinator Week in 2024 and was hosted by The City of Takoma Park and The Pollinator Group of Climate Action Coffee. Sam is an international expert on bees, brilliant photographer, and engaging speaker. If you garden, like bees or hate bees, you will want to watch this.
And for those who want to see and hear more from Sam, we invite you to explore the following resources:
This Intrepid Team of Bee Lovers Are Doing Everything They Can to Save Rare Native Species From Extinction, April/May 2025
Transform Your Yard into Bee-Friendly Habitat! (Outdoors Maryland Digital Extra), May 31, 2024
Soil Health to Go! on Native Bees, April 10, 2024
Wildlife Biologist’s NATURE-FIRST Approach to Landscaping & Home Design, March 19, 2024
You Can Make a Difference for Bumble Bees, April 22, 2022
Native Bees are Picky, What You Plant Matters, July 12, 2021
Why We Need Native Bees, July 16, 2020